Thursday, April 17, 2025

The Need for Hindu-Muslim Unity in Current Times

By Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam Translated from Urdu to English by New Age Islam 17 April 2025 In today’s climate of growing unrest and communal tension, the call for Hindu-Muslim unity is more urgent than ever. Historically, both communities in India have resisted divisive forces, from colonial rule to present-day political opportunism, by promoting mutual respect, interfaith harmony, and shared cultural values. Writers, scholars, and leaders—both Hindu and Muslim—have contributed to this tradition through dialogue, literature, and scholarship. The preservation of India’s pluralistic Ganga-Jamuni culture depends on reviving these values of tolerance, understanding, and unity. In doing so, we not only safeguard our past but also build a peaceful, inclusive future. (Translator’s note) ----- It is a fact that the world today is engulfed in unrest, anxiety, and chaos. Nations are at odds with each other. In the Indian subcontinent, after the arrival of Muslims, history bears witness that there has always been tension and conflict between Hindus and Muslims. Behind this, one sometimes finds the machinations of political actors, and at other times, the negative attitudes of religious leaders have also contributed to worsening the situation. Today, the dark clouds of hatred and hostility that loom over the national landscape are also being fuelled by political power centres. It is unfortunate that now every issue in the country is being given a religious colour, and there is a growing trend of targeting specific communities under this guise. Since the rise of communalism in the country, countless innocent lives have been affected. However, for any society to be exemplary and welfare-oriented, it is necessary that we never engage in actions that promote communalism or fascism. Communalism is a cancer that destroys the long-standing traditions of nations and societies. Along with damaging human relationships, its vile effects also erode human dignity and sanctity. There is no need to emphasize that the current wave of communalism is being nurtured in the womb of self-serving and opportunistic politics. It now seems that power-hungry politicians have adopted the principle of creating social conflict within society in order to impose their narrow mind-set on the people. Yet, the culture and heritage of our nation bear testimony to the fact that, throughout history, efforts have been made to promote communal harmony. When the British tried to dismantle the fabric of the country and disrupt its harmonious traditions, both communities — Hindus and Muslims — jointly thwarted their evil and deceitful ambitions. They did so through speech, action, writing, and oration. On one hand, Muslim scholars carried forward the legacy of unity, and on the other, non-Muslim intellectuals and researchers did not hold back in praising Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The British knew that as long as Hindus and Muslims remained united, they would not be able to expand their power. But history testifies that the British conspiracy ultimately failed. A major reason for this failure was the commendable steps taken by Hindus during that time in writing about the Prophet’s life and other Islamic subjects, which ensured that communal harmony was not weakened. In this context, many Hindu authors contributed significantly to the literature aimed at fostering Hindu-Muslim unity. Among them, Gyan Chand Jain's book "Hindu-Muslim Unity", and Lala Veni Chand Kapoor Pracharak’s "The Greatest Guide of the World in the Eyes of Non-Muslims" are of great importance. Likewise, Mrs. Sarojini Naidu (1879–1949) praised and affirmed the personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), keeping alive our centuries-old tradition. Babu Ganj Dilwai's book "Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Islam", and Mr. Diwan Sharma’s "Our Indian Heritage" and "The Prophet of the East" are also highly significant in this regard. What’s noteworthy is that these books were written at a time when the British ruled India and were actively attempting to dismantle Hindu-Muslim unity. These authors undoubtedly presented a powerful example of tolerance, interfaith harmony, and Hindu-Muslim unity that will be remembered in history in bold letters. This represents the true essence of our nation's culture and heritage. These are the very values upon which the survival of India’s Ganga-Jamuni culture depends. If we are to protect our social and democratic values today, we must bring forward those elements that are essential for Hindu-Muslim unity. Similarly, if we look at Muslim scholars, writers, and researchers, we find that they, too, have chosen Indian religions as a field of study to promote communal harmony and continue to contribute to this area. Hinduism is an ancient religion with a rich history. It is encouraging that many of its core Sanskrit texts have been translated into Urdu by Muslims, driven by a spirit of tolerance. Thus, we have Urdu translations of Chanakya’s Arthashastra, Manu Dharma Shastra, Ramayana, Rig Veda, and the Bhagavad Gita. These translations were made partly to correct misunderstandings about Hinduism and provide accurate guidance. This is especially intended to guide the younger generation so they can live together with love and harmony, despite religious differences. Books like Al-Biruni’s Kitab al-Hind, and the works of Sir Syed, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Maulana Manazir Hasan Gilani, and Dr. Hamidullah also reflect a spirit of unity and national harmony through their studies of religions. We must reflect today and learn from our history, for it is easier to build a better future by learning from the past. This way, no ill-wisher can damage the centuries-old bonds between us. The tragedy today is that attempts are being made to instil hatred toward our shared past. Efforts are underway to fuel mutual hatred and prejudice. It is now our responsibility to ensure that our oldest bonds are not weakened in any way. There is still an urgent need to work along lines that can neutralize communal forces and rekindle Hindu-Muslim unity. A study of history reveals that countless individuals—both in the past and today—have stood firm in preserving the integrity of the nation at any cost. We must, therefore, value these shining stars of the past and present who, through their thoughts and ideologies, protected the noble traditions of our country from being tainted. Whenever attempts are made to damage or taint our pure heritage with malicious intentions, individuals from among us rise up to counter it. Those in positions of power and influence must also reflect and accept that hatred and bias cannot fulfil the dream of national progress, nor can we compete with the world’s advanced societies on that basis. Those who have built relationships on justice, unity, and human compassion, and who have sincerely upheld their duty as rulers, have shown us that no action based on communalism can endure. Now is the time to completely eradicate this atmosphere of hatred and create an environment where people can breathe in peace. We must never forget that there was a time when Hindus and Muslims in India shared meals from the same pot, sat together in village squares, and lived in the same neighbourhoods—without fear, complaints, or distrust. But in today’s so-called developed age, we fear each other. Why? Think about it—India’s distinct identity is based on diversity, plurality, and mutual trust and connection. If this precious legacy falls prey to communal forces, what will remain? It will lead to embarrassment not only on a national level but also in the global arena. If an atmosphere of unity and harmony flourishes in the country, it will ensure the preservation of our cultural heritage. The examples of Hindu-Muslim unity mentioned earlier aim to revive the traditions of patience, tolerance, and mutual goodwill in the country. Both communities must not only act but also contribute written intellectual efforts to help restore our unity and collective identity, so we can once again live in a spirit of national harmony. ----- Urdu Article: The Need for Hindu-Muslim Unity in Current Times رواںحالاتمیںہندومسلماتحادکیضرورت URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/hindu-muslim-unity-times/d/135195 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

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